AS A TOWN OF ART AND HISTORY, MANTES-LA-JOLIE INVITES YOU TO DISCOVER THE RICHNESS AND DIVERSITY OF ITS HERITAGE SITES

Old Mantes

The Saint-Maclou Tower

The Old Bridge

The Church of Sainte-Anne

The Hôtel Dieu Museum

The Saint-Jacques Chapel

The Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame

This grand old lady is the pride and joy of Mantes-la-Jolie's residents. The Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame is the leading mediaeval church in the département and the second largest in the Paris region after Notre-Dame in Paris with which it is often compared. Since it was built in the mid-12th century it has come through the years, surviving the ravages of time, plundering, deliberate damage and even the massive bombing of the Second World War. Today, following extensive restoration, it can be admired once again by visitors. More and more people are today flocking here to admire its natural lighting effects or its splendid rose window, which is the oldest in France.

Old Mantes

Much of Mantes-la-Jolie's old town was destroyed by the bombing of May and June 1944. Nevertheless, the town centre today offers a number of discovery trails, thanks to which visitors can admire various historical sites :

The Renaissance Fountain

This fountain is a reproduction of the one built in 1520 by Nicolas Delabrosse, a master mason from Mantes. The original, which is today in the care of the City, is the only dual basin fountain from this period to be found in France.

The Priests' Gate

As you walk along the river Seine below the Collegiate Church, you can discover the remains of the ancient fortifications of this mediaeval town. Reinforced by Charles V in the 14th century, this defensive line along the Seine was dotted with doors, gates and towers including the Priests' Gate. This feature keeps alive the memory of a priest who, in 1421, helped the French to regain control of the town from the English. It is today listed as a historical monument.

Rue Baudin

This sloping street is lined with impressive private buildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1645, during a trip through his kingdom, King Louis XIV stayed at the Carsillier residence, at No. 6, the king's brother at No. 8 and Anne of Austria at the Mornay residence, at No.1.

The Saint-Maclou Tower

A listed historical monument, the Saint-Maclou Tower dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries. It is all that remains of a church built in the early 11th century. At risk of imminent collapse, it was demolished in two stages, firstly under the Convention and then later in 1806 by its new owners, to whom it had been sold several years earlier. Only the tower today remains, escaping the fate of the rest of the building thanks to its outstanding architectural quality.

The Old Bridge

The Old Bridge is a remnant of one of France's oldest bridges. Today, this is all that remains of a huge bridge with 37 arches which once linked Mantes-la-Jolie to Limay. Started in the 11th century, it was topped with a number of picturesque buildings. After falling into disuse, its central section was destroyed by the Germans in 1940. Today, both passers-by and artists can admire and draw inspiration from the undeniable charm of the bridge's architectural remains.

The Church of Sainte-Anne

This "minor masterpiece" of Romanesque art dating from the 12th century is the former church of a Benedictine priory attached to the abbey of Cluny. Bossuet, the Bishop of Meaux and private tutor to Louis XIV's oldest son served as one of its abbots from 1664 to 1703. This church has been remarkably restored, including its framework which was destroyed by bombing in 1944. The church's interior is of significant artistic interest with its stained-glass windows dating from the 13th century, a time when some of the Paris region's finest buildings were erected.

The Hôtel Dieu Museum

Located close to the Collegiate Church, the Hôtel-Dieu Museum is listed as a historical monument and hosts temporary exhibitions focusing on three key areas: art and cultures of the world, regional heritage, and contemporary art. In 2006, one of these exhibitions devoted to Marc Chagall broke all visitor records, attracting more than 6000 visitors. All of these exhibitions are accompanied by conferences and workshops for both adults and children alike.

The Saint-Jacques Chapel

This building, the origins of which date back to the 11th century, was used by the General Hospital. Since 2001, it has been reconverted into a venue for themed exhibitions. The townspeople of Mantes have had an opportunity to rediscover the site, which is currently undergoing renovation. The City Council is cleaning the exposed stonework and applying an anti-humidity treatment. This facelift will be accompanied by the renovation of the buildings decorative woodwork and the replacement of tiles. The chapel and its remarkable stained-glass windows are today in the process of regaining their former glory.

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